In soccer, a slant route is constructed on timing and precision. The receiver doesn’t waste movement – he breaks sharply throughout the sector into open area earlier than the protection can react. It’s easy in design, however separation is created via execution.
That very same strategy defines my weekly Saturday Bucs column, Slivon’s Slant.
Every week from now till coaching camp, I’ll have a look inside a distinct Bucs place group. The objective is to chop via the floor to search out the clearest path in evaluating this roster because it takes form. Then, as soon as the season begins, the column will proceed providing totally different angles for breaking down and discussing the crew. Thus far, I’ve provided in-depth profiles of the quarterback, working again, large receiver, tight finish, offensive line, line of defense, exterior linebacker, inside linebacker, and cornerback positions.
With these positions coated, it’s time to look at the protection room.
Inside The Bucs Security Room
Ball-Hawking Spine: Antoine Winfield Jr.
Becoming a member of the Bucs in the identical draft class as Tristan Wirfs in 2020, Antoine Winfield Jr. has developed seniority to turn into the protection’s chief and franchise participant. The torch appeared to go to him in 2023, when Winfield had a rare All-Professional season as he all of a sudden appeared just like the NFL’s greatest security. Since then, he has remained a top quality starter, however he has not persistently reached the identical stage that earned him a four-year, $84.1 million contract.
Getting into 2026, Tampa Bay wants extra of the game-changing model of Winfield that took over video games throughout his All-Professional marketing campaign.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
All eyes shall be on him when coaching camp opens later this month, as he’s one participant I not too long ago recognized as needing to “ball out.” Given his manufacturing and tenure within the secondary, he’s the unquestioned chief and spine of your entire group. With longtime captain Lavonte David retiring, Winfield’s voice shall be heard louder and clearer. With that comes the expectation of the soon-to-be 28-year-old to be near elite.
It could be unfair to count on the identical stat line of 2023, when he had 122 tackles, six pressured fumbles, six sacks, and three interceptions. What ought to be on Todd Bowles’ thoughts is permitting “Tweeze” to play with extra freedom given all of the athletic and promising items round him. In flip, that opens the door for extra playmaking and an opportunity to make the game-changing performs he has confirmed greater than able to.
For the Bucs’ protection to return to its earlier heights of about 5 seasons in the past, Winfield is a key X-Issue to make that occur in 2026.
Secondary Stabilizer: Tykee Smith
With two seasons below his belt taking part in in two totally different positions inside the Bucs’ secondary, Tykee Smith has been given the right crash course. Now, it’s Smith’s time to ascend. As a third-round decide in 2024, he stepped into the nickelback function and dealt with it properly, with 54 tackles, three pressured fumbles, and two interceptions. Given his efficiency, one of many best strikes the next offseason was letting Jordan Whitehead stroll and shifting Smith into a security function to make him a full-time participant. He responded with a extra full sophomore season, recording 100 tackles, two sacks, an interception whereas additionally main the crew with 13 passes defensed.
Bucs SS Tykee Smith – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
For as a lot as Antoine Winfield elevated his play throughout his age-25 season, it’s Smith’s flip to do the identical and solidify himself as a defensive cornerstone to construct round for years to return. From a mentality standpoint, he performs the sport with an edge and physicality, traits the unit goals to embody as a complete this season. These are key causes that haven’t solely given him an opportunity to turn into a crew captain, however that give him an opportunity to raise his sport to a different stage.
Ought to he proceed to construct on his early-career success, the protection room would be the brightest spot of your entire protection. Winfield and Smith are already an above-average duo, however they’ve an opportunity to be an elite one.
Promising Prospect: JJ Roberts
In a wholesome Bucs’ secondary, JJ Roberts is not going to be a starter within the Bucs’ secondary this season. What Roberts will be — within the wake of Christian Izien leaving to signal with the Lions within the offseason — is a “super sub” with the flexibility to put on a number of hats. Though he’s the third security on the depth chart, he additionally tasks to be one of many high nickelback choices after Keionte Scott. It’s possible that he’ll see the sector in some unspecified time in the future, whether or not for infrequent snaps or as a spot starter when accidents in the end come up. At any time when he does see the sector, the crew is excessive on his potential to make an affect, and understandably so.
Bucs S J.J. Roberts – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Roberts was signed as an undrafted free agent final yr and appeared to be a lock to make the 53-man roster after impressing all through the offseason. After struggling a torn ACL in August, the damage worn out any likelihood of him logging regular-season snaps. He detailed that his knee is now “in a very strong place.”
He has the expertise to function a hybrid depth piece, having displayed his talents throughout his closing two seasons at Marshall. In 2024, Roberts had 94 tackles and was tied for probably the most passes defensed in all of school soccer with 14. How he appears this summer season might put him able the place Todd Bowles will get artistic to suit him into the secondary puzzle.
Particular Groups Standout: Miles Killebrew
In comparison with another participant talked about in Slivon’s Slant to date, Miles Killebrew was not introduced in to raise his place room however to assist reinvigorate a complete unit. Killebrew was Danny Smith’s right-hand man with the Steelers as a particular groups tone-setter. It made an excessive amount of sense for the veteran to affix the Bucs as quickly as Smith was employed to show across the total operation. There’s loads of optimism for what each additions convey, as Smith is a veteran coach with a powerful background and Killebrew is his hand-picked chief with two Professional Bowls on his resume.
Bucs S/ST ace Miles Killebrew – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos – Katie Stratman
At 33 years outdated, Killebrew checks all of the bins to take over Tampa Bay’s particular groups. He leads all energetic gamers with 4 blocked punts, and since coming into the NFL as a fourth-round decide in 2016, Killebrew has 86 tackles on particular groups, which is the fifth-most in that span. For the struggles the crew had in return protection, including a veteran with virtually 3,000 snaps on the unit will assist get everybody on top of things. There are many components that may make the Bucs extra profitable in 2026, however profitable the quiet discipline place battle shall be essential.
Roster Roulette: Rashad Knowledge, Marcus Banks, and Ja’Qurious Conley
Rashad Knowledge and Marcus Banks discover themselves battling for comparable roles to make the crew as a fifth security. Each have primarily contributed on particular groups, with every showing in three video games final season. Except accidents strike, each venture as apply squad candidates coming into camp. Every have flashed sufficient to stay in Tampa Bay and are high quality standby choices.
Conley is the contemporary face at security, and he appears each bit the half at 6-foot-1 and 214 kilos. He used his measurement and physicality to have a productive collegiate season in 2025, recording 64 tackles and three interceptions for Charlotte. Receiving a $180,000 assure as an undrafted free agent makes it possible he finds a option to make the apply squad, maybe over Knowledge and/or Banks.
Closing Slant
No different defensive place group shall be as starter reliant because the Bucs security room in 2026. Whereas different rooms depend on extra depth and have extra uncertainty, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith have the backend of the secondary locked up. My slant on the room is that it’s the strongest one on protection, and one of many strongest on your entire crew. Primarily based on what Winfield has achieved, and the potential Smith has but to completely faucet into, it could not be stunning if Tampa Bay boasts top-of-the-line security duos within the league.
That projection hinges on each taking one other step as playmakers. In the event that they play to their potential, they’ll erase errors behind an inexperienced cornerback room whereas creating the splash performs this protection lacked a season in the past. Nobody needs to see the depth examined, however JJ Roberts has promise and will maintain down a security spot for a quick time. Miles Killebrew is technically the fourth security however will tackle rather more accountability as a particular groups ace. After that, it’s a roster roulette of types ought to a fifth security show worthy for a 53-man roster spot.
Ought to Antoine Winfield Jr. return nearer to All-Professional type and Tykee Smith takes one other step ahead, the Bucs is not going to simply have one of many NFL’s higher security duos — they are going to have the inspiration the remainder of Todd Bowles’ protection is constructed upon.
